Monday Off

Hello,

Because of working on Saturday, Leroy took Monday off. He certainly got a lot done. In the night I realized that we might hang our under the counter strip light that we had not yet used here, in my clothes closet. It has been very frustrating because, as the days have gotten darker on both ends, I do not see in the closet very well. The room light is in the middle of the bedroom ceiling and does not shine in the closet. I have often gotten a flashlight to shine on darker winter clothes. Sometimes, when I am too lazy to go get the flashlight, I feel the fabric so I make a guess as to what I am extracting before I get it out into the light and realize it is wrong. Leroy put that light up over the inside of the closet door frame where it casts perfect light on everything I want to look at. Luckily there was an outlet outside the door and we had the right length extension cord. Some women may want jewels and other luxuries. My practical luxury is a light in the closet. I am grateful for the gift.

After that Leroy raked the leaves in the front yard to the curb so they could be vacuumed on Wed. The front yard looks good, but today the vacuum has not yet come. I hope we have the schedule right. I do know that I had seen they are running behind. When I look out my windows I see that almost all of the leaves are off the trees. Soon fall will be over and winter will take up residence.

We pulled up the tomato plants. I stripped them of the green and slightly colored fruit. I was disgruntled to see many tomatoes on the ground with bites chewed out of them. My light harvest is explained.

Leroy and I made up a sautéed dish with some of these green tomatoes with the addition of onion, mushrooms, garlic, green peppers and an orange pepper. I cannot remember what herbs we put on it, but served over rice and topped with grated cheese it tasted very good to us. With the rest of the tomatoes we will have to do that again or something close to it as I do not think they will rippen.

Paula

Music Weekend

Hello,

The first experience was to hear Concert Chorale. For fifteen years I sang with and breathed in life and energy from this group. It was great to see some of the people that I used to sing with as well as many new faces. Some of the old faces had names that remained obscure even after I looked at the list of participants. Oh that memory just goes down other roads that are not needed sometimes.
The group was joined by a group from Coe College. They were also very good, but as Leroy commented their voices were not as mature. It was wonderful to be enveloped in music. Leroy even stayed awake for the entire time. I believe it helped that many of the songs were fairly short gospel or spiritual type rather than long classical pieces.

The second experience was one we participated in. It was singing in the choir for a hymn sing at church. We sing special settings of four hymns as well as choir only on verses of some other less familiar hymns. It was great even if we did have to attend two services. The only problem for me was that the readings were too long. Long enough that I lost some of the content, but was able to get much more the second time around.

The last experience was the best. Simon Estes has made it a goal to sing in all 99 counties in Iowa. We have missed him in other counties that we have lived in. He was singing in a town that is, according to the internet, 50 minutes from our house. So it seemed that maybe it was now or never. He was wonderful. Even though he is an opera singer he did only one selection that was from opera. Many of the rest were from musical theater. It was great to have his powerful voice wash over one. No sleeping here. Leroy was again awake the entire time. He made the comment afterwards that on the way over he was bemoaning to himself about making the trip, but declared it well worth it.

An additional bonus for that experience was that we saw a minister friend and his wife. We even spend some extra time with them by going to a restaurant after to get more fully caught up on our families. Blessings abound.

Paula

Gifts on a cold day

Hello,

In spite of the cold it turned out to be a warm day as I took home some gifts from the library. The first was a five gallon bucket with two smaller buckets nestled inside. When gifts come they come in multiples. The second gift was some pictures of six year old Miriam that someone in the community had. What a surprise! I did not remember ever seeing them before although I do remember something about the event. Then the last gift was a bag of the Halloween treats that had not gone to a child. So now I have some pretzels to share with Leroy along with a pencil, a sticker, and a bat that could stick up on the window. I already ate the included fruit snacks.

Another gift was the laughter of the children that I could hear as they listened to and interacted with the magician this morning at the library. I was at the checkout desk so I could not see what happened, but it must have been good. Thirty-five children came so that was great too.

Then I headed off to stores to look for potting soil. No luck in that department. I have spider plants, impatiens, and amaryllis that will all need to find a pot home in the near future. I saw some in the store in my last shopping trip, but did not buy it because I thought it should be cheaper. I may have to go back and pay more than I intended because these plants cannot survive without it.

An additional strong reason for shopping was that I had a gift certificate for a $10 purchase that would expire next week and I did not want to forget about it. A scarf was what I finally got. As I looked around I realized once again that I am not a true shopper. Nothing seemed right so it was difficult to think of this as a positive thing even though I had gift money. I even had a hard time settling on the scarf, but I hoped it would go with some of my clothes. Surely I can make it work.


Paula

In Charge

Hello,

Our landlords are going on a train trip west and we are in charge of making sure everything is ok around here. That is one nice thing about living in a duplex. The home is still occupied when one party is gone. Right now it is hot and the heat has been turned off. They have given us a key so we can regulate the heat. It would also be useful if the wireless router needs to be reset. Apparently that happens quite frequently as in perhaps every two weeks. It is especially important to us to know how to do that because our phone is tied into that system.

Now I feel that I was hasty to put away my summer clothes. I had to do some digging in the back of my closet to find just the right things to wear today.

I believe that Leroy feels he was generous in giving me two inches more closet space, but his is really more accessible. However when the season becomes more settled then I will find it easier.

We can recycle glass if it is out in a separate container. We put some out in a five gallon bucket today. I searched for that valuable bucket after the pickup. I could not find it. I wondered if someone had taken it, but then I got the brilliant idea to look in the recycle bin. Sure enough, there it was, alas it had been smashed. It is a loss because we only have one five gallon bucket now. They are not always so available. In the past we have gotten some because we knew someone who had a source at work. Hopefully we will find a source again.

Paula

Crazy Guy

Hello,

I know for sure that Leroy is a crazy guy. Yesterday it rained briefly before he left for work, but in the break he thought he could make it just for 20 minutes. Well, the rain had other ideas. Leroy reported that about five blocks from home it started pouring. But the eternal optimist thought it would quit soon as it had in the last spate. No such luck this time. He tells me that by the time he got to work he was totally soaked. The rain may not have penetrated his rain jacket, but it came in around the hood and slid all over. His shoes were lead weights of water. He has those extra clothes at work so he was able to change. I did not ask about a towel with which to dry. Also the clothes he was carrying were not dry. Leroy reported, “My bike bags are not waterproof.”

 He was lucky because there is a dryer in the building so he could put all of his clothes in there except for his rain coat, leather gloves, and shoes. His socks were dry when he prepared to come home in the beautiful sunny warm air, however as soon as he put on his shoes they relinquished some water into the socks. All in all it was quite an adventure for him. Today was much dryer and warmer yet. Just not so much excitement.

It is certainly humid. I can tell as my hair is curling up nicely. I wish I could capture some of that for the winter months, especially indoors. We do not really need cold and humid outdoors with the discomfort that brings.

It was so warm yesterday that people came to the library in shorts. It is amazing. Leroy does not want to stop riding and I guess it will be a few more days before that happens. He has talked about walking, but I discourage that as it is three miles one way and that would take quite a lot of his day. I suggested instead that he use the bus as he could walk some on both ends of the trip. I envy him this built in exercise plan.

Paula

Put Away

Hello,

I like to have things put away. Clutter bothers my mind. I can actually live more comfortably with dirt as long as it is my dirt than I can live with clutter. In this smaller space I have packed things away rather tightly so I do not have to see them anymore. Luckily Leroy is mostly anti-clutter as well. He tells me that I have convinced him that it is for the best. He is also great to get rid of things, especially clothes.

We had been using my Mom’s china for everyday because I saw no point in just having it in a box. I have not put it back in a box, but it is in a more inaccessible place in the cupboard because I find that I am tired of using it all of the time. The biggest drawback is that it will not go in the microwave and almost every day I wanted to put it in there. Just in general I was also tired of being so careful with it. Now we are back to using Leroy’s mother’s dishes. It is great.

Leroy has two pair of slippers. One is a slip on that he wears in the warmer weather and the other is more like a loafer that he wears in the colder weather. He could not find those colder weather slippers. Saturday was a big search day. He started in his closet because perhaps it is the smallest and has little room for boxes, but has a large suitcase. It was not there. I insisted we look under the bed in that room, not there. Then we moved on to the computer room closet. We found some interesting things, but no slippers. I was happy to re-arrange some of those boxes to make it more efficient. Then it was moving on to the closet that I use for my clothes. We opened some of the boxes and discovered that we could add more things to them, but no slippers lurked inside. From there we moved on to the closet in the living room. Here we found some things we could add to those other boxes and create some better, tighter storage, but no slippers. Finally Leroy was looking again in his closet on the floor under his clothes and there were his unboxed slippers sitting there peacefully waiting to be spotted.

It was a good job to go through all of those things.

Paula

Treating Ourselves

Hello,

I got treats for Leroy when I was shopping. Just what are treats at our house? The first was apple cider which is actually a treat for me too. Then there were pumpkin bagels. I am not so crazy about bagels if they have all white flour so I only ate half of one. Then I got an eggplant that was wonderful. Plus, some artisan lettuce was reduced in price, but not in quality. What finds! I was quite pleased.

I know that many people are giving up their landline phones. However, Leroy and I got that one that we use over the Internet and think it is wonderful. I have certainly appreciated having it. These days it is amazing the multitude of possibilities of communicating with others. When I was a child it was simply talk to them in person, write a letter, or phone. We certainly did not take lightly the long distance phone call. After all it cost money. Probably more than it does now. Now I can call anyone in the country without thinking about the cost as it is part of the package. What a gift!

Leroy tried to fix an outlet in our computer room. Unfortunately after much fussing around, he finally put it back with the original broken part. In the process of all that fussing we used the phone as an intercom. We can call any of our other handsets with a special button. That way he did not have to climb the stairs quite so many times. The fuse box or circuit breaker is in the basement and it is a number of steps between. So when he wanted to know if the power was off, he simply called me. As it was I was outside some of the time so he still climbed the stairs five to ten times. I say that was good for him.

I must exercise too even though we did our two mile church walk this morning. Blessedly the sun was shining and it was pleasant outside.

Paula

Reading

Hello,

I gathered six children’s books and a little courage to go read to second graders. Even though I often used to read to this age I was not sure I remembered just what was needed. My self talk is more discouraging than is good. Such as would it be too old, too young, or might they have heard it all before and be bored.

When I got to the room about two minutes early they were not quite ready for me. I had forgotten how approachable people are when you are in second grade. Before I could get to reading I was relaxed and at home as child after child came up and wanted to know if someone in the room were my son or daughter. One thought I might be a grandmother. Perhaps it was the girl who told me, “My grandmother has hair like yours.”

“Is it curly?” I wanted to know.

“Yes, but it is stiff and feels funny,” she said.

“Well feel my hair and tell me how it feels,” I said as I bent my head down.

“It feels soft,” she said.

Personally I think that was good.

I read an older book, Strega Nona. When asked, only a couple kids raised their hands as having heard it before. I was pleased as I had hoped that the book age would mean lack of exposure. I believe they were with me all the way. I certainly felt caught up in their anticipation. That book and my introduction of myself took all the time, but the teacher indicated that I might read another. So I choose a non-fiction book about giraffes. They were also solidly locked into that book as well. They learned many interesting facts about giraffes. Children are indeed eager to learn. There is hope for the future.

What a gift these children gave me with their interest, excitement, and attention.

Paula

Working

Hello,

I worked on Saturday afternoon, as my co-worker was leaving at that time; I tried to be on time. Really I try to be at least five minutes ahead of that as I like to touch bases and get up to speed myself.

The first difficulty occurred when I saw the train stopped on the tracks. I immediately turned on to an alternate route. It takes a bit longer, but it could easily beat a stopped train. Then as I was sitting at a stop light the low fuel light and beeper came on. This almost never happens to us. Both Leroy and I are nervous critters when it comes to the idea of running out of gas.

Course there were no gas stations easily accessed from where I now was. I reminded myself that one was supposed to be able to drive maybe 30 miles once the light comes on. But who has tested that out. Certainly not us. I continued on my way onto the interstate using all of my gas conserving skills. Once I turned off of the fast track I decided, late or not, I would have to stop to get gas as I still had at least four miles to go. Would you believe that the gas price was the lowest I have seen for a few days? Later when I figured out the MPG it was 35+. I was pleased with that. When I walked in the library the time was exactly when I should have been there. And my co-worker did not leave immediately so I could have been relaxed. I must remember in the future that pre-event anxiety is not good for me and usually is not necessary.

I do have to make a side note to complain about the squirrels in our yard. I found an almost ripe tomato that had been ¾ eaten. I figure those animals are the culprit. That might explain my limited harvest. Now I keep stepping on the walnuts. Seems to me the squirrels should have plenty of other things to eat besides tomatoes.

Paula

Walking

Hello,

Sunday Leroy and I also walked in the CROP walk for hunger. It should be noted that there were a number of people there, but maybe only about 50 and this is a big city. Course it was rainy and a bit cold. But last weekend was the walk for Breast Cancer and it was marched by 17,000 people. Hunger eradication apparently does not have the pull that cancer eradication does. Perhaps too many people who could support such a thing do not know someone who is hungry? Cancer is indiscriminate and permeates all class levels.

Someone asked us if this was our first CROP walk. Leroy figures that he has walked for more than 20 years. He was instrumental in starting the walk in Ely. He was bothered by how few people participated and he felt that people did not want to come to CR to join so he worked with three other churches and created a walk in that area. I wonder how much money has been raised over time. I think it is still a well supported walk.

We searched and found our ponchos before the walk. When you move a lot, seldom used items are always a search. I also wore a warm scarf and gloves along with my jacket. Leroy did not think of such things, but luckily we have a baseball cap in the car so he was able to get a little warmer head. We were all happy that the rain stopped just before the walk was to begin. It was only 5K which seemed incredible short compared to the ten miles we originally walked years ago.

Paula

Rain

Hello,

From talking about how dry it is I feel now that we have enough rain. The rain gauge had over two inches in it. I cannot remember the last time I have seen that much rain. What a difference!

I was a bit disappointed that it came on Sunday. Leroy and I walked to church wearing rain coats and carrying umbrellas. It was a nice walk. However coming home was a different story. There was more rain with a wind behind it. “Should we call a taxi?” I wondered. Cheap Leroy rejected that idea. But if he had said yes would I have agreed. Who is the cheapest cat?

“If someone offered us a ride, I would accept,” I stated firmly as I held my umbrella to block as much wind as I could.

“I would agree,” Leroy assured me.

However no one offered a ride until we were about two blocks from church and getting wetter by the second. Luckily a lovely friendly woman from church pulled into a drive in front of us and opened her car door. “I insist you get in,” she stated, "You will be soaked by the time you get home.”

She did not have to beg, we hopped in with all speed. “I feel less guilty now for driving all over,” she said as she drove along.

It is good to know too that she was really on her way home when she goes past out house. It helps us to feel that we did not inconvenience her so very much. Blessing abound.

Paula

Green in, Green out

Hello,

Leroy actually took a plant to work this morning. I am trying to remember if he has done that in the past or not. So now I have seven plants in other places. I will still bring in the two amaryllis bulbs later. I like to let them get very cold before putting them inside. I do not have a cool place here to keep them so will let the outdoors be that cool place for a bit longer. I also took some slips from the impatiens and they have not done well. They look quite dead. At least I can yet try again as the outside plants are still alive.

We are still eating tomatoes grown on the vine outside the house and I have five peppers out there that are growing by millimeters. If I see that it will freeze I will pick them, but not until then. Surely it does not hurt to eat a green green pepper. We also have Swiss chard that is starting to look quite fine. Then there are the rutabagas that can handle much colder temps. It also helps that the bulbs underground are what we will eat.

Leroy slept so very well last night and headed off to work with a bit of a bounce in his step. I did not sleep sa well as I had a coughing fit in the night, but my day has been good.

Yesterday, Leroy’s boss returned from Bratislava and Prague. Leroy was happy to hear her speak so positively about her experience in Bratislava. She sounds very inclined to put some more emphasis on the crafts of Slovakians. We have been a little disappointed that the slant of the museum is so related to the Czech people. Course it makes sense since the settlers in this area were from there originally.

I think it would wonderful if Leroy would get the opportunity to go to those wonderful cities and have the museum pay for the trip.

Paula

Driving

Hello,

Today while on my way to work, I saw flashing emergency lights. In this three lane section of interstate it appeared to be in the far left lane. I was in the middle lane. I slowed and moved into the right lane. A truck in the right lane slowed and pulled off the road. I think there was no one else in the left lane, but others in the other lanes just kept moving at normal speed. Is no longer requested that you pull over to the right when there are police or emergency vehicles moving through the area?

Tonight coming home I pulled onto the two lane road, grateful for the semi that moved over into the left lane so I could get in easily as could the cars in front and behind me. In a short distance another street merges onto this road. It had numerous cars coming down the ramp curve. I stayed in my lane because I was going to merge onto that lane to proceed on to the interstate. Meanwhile the semi wanted to get into the right lane and perform the same maneuver that I was attempting. I managed to slide in between two cars. The semi could not find a place large enough so he came almost to a stop in the end of the space where he could turn. The car in front of me stopped and let him in. I had been thinking of doing that, but wondered if it was a safe thing to do as there were a number of cars behind who also needed to stop. It all worked out, but it certainly can be tricky.

I took my 41 year old Christmas cactus to the Ely library today. It was a job. Leroy forgot to help me get it in the car. The hardest part is carrying it down the fifteen steps. It is a bit heavy, but the real difficultly is the angle that it must be carried at so as not to squash the leaves. I made it with breaking off only one small piece. I am pleased. We will see if the director likes it there. She said she would, but it is big and takes up a bit of space. I certainly have more room around here with only eleven plants in the house.

Paula

Happenings

Hello,

When I got my order paid for at the grocery store the cashier called me Paula. Does that come up on the screen when I use my credit card? I have seldom been in this store so he certainly did not know me.

Yesterday at work I got a wonderful compliment. A man wondered if I had just gotten my hair done because it looked so good. “No,” I replied, “I have naturally curly hair and I just walked in the wind.”

“It looks great,” he said, “You should do that more often.”

That helped me feel confident for the rest of the day. What a nice gift. Usually those windy walks to the post office unsettle my whole day.

Leroy has been home for the third day from work, but it is really four days if you count Sunday too. He tells me that he is going to work tomorrow. He seems to feel about like I did. Still coughing some and tired, but better than before. I will be happy when we are both over this disease that I thought was just sinus trouble.

We even walked around the block this afternoon and he did quite well. I am going to church choir tonight, but he will stay home. I have decided since it gets dark so early I will drive, but it bothers me to do that. I am quite comfortable walking around here in the light, but prefer companionship after dark.

I have taken my two largest almost ugly hanging plants to the school library for their winter stay. I have now taken three much smaller and lovelier plants to the public library for their winter stay. I have said that I will take my largest Christmas cactus to the public library tomorrow, but I feel a little hesitant to do that. The conditions do not seem just right, but it crowds me here and while I could take it to the school, I want to see it. Decisions!

Paula

Sunday Joy

Hello,

I generously gave Leroy my ailment so he did not go to church yesterday. I, however, went and even sang in the choir. I had been there when we first practiced this piece. Perhaps I should not have sung as I was not quite solid on everything. But I felt good for doing it.

Then it was on to the book club. We discussed Their Eyes were watching God by Zora Hurston. It was a lively discussion. Luckily for me it was the second time I had read this book and I found the vernacular so much easier this time.

I hurriedly walked the mile home to get lunch and go back in the afternoon for an organ recital that was impressive and uplifting as well.

I was amazed that I managed to walk four miles in those two trips and I did not feel exhausted as I had in previous walks. I am perhaps well now. I still cough occasionally, but have much more energy. What a blessing!

Leroy is home today, but does not feel as bad as he did yesterday. Perhaps he is going to be done with this illness in short order. It no doubt helps that he gave in much soon than I did. Also so far he has not had a fever.

I did get my fall clothes out and was impressed that I had more than I realized. I should be well covered. But there is still the danger of some situation in which I have nothing to wear. Sigh! Why do we need more than three of any one thing? I used to have almost no dress pants, and now I think I have five. What an increase! Do I have too many clothes? Certainly it is more than I need for a week. Then I am still wearing some things that I bought when we lived in Ely and that has been 12 years. Perhaps I need to eliminate and update. How did it happen when I was growing up that clothes actually wore out?

Paula

Good Day

Hello,

We covered our tomatoes last night, but they would have been fine without that touch. It is supposed to be colder tonight and tomorrow night so we have covered again. We would like to make them last a little longer. Usually by this time I am happy to let them go, but we have not gotten much from them so I want more. We have three green peppers out there and two yellow peppers and I would like them to grow a little more before I pick them.

Missouri Valley friends were coming to the museum and we met for lunch. It was just super to see them again. We have not lived in Missouri Valley since 1984. Such a long time ago! What a blessing to know so many wonderful people. It is always great to reconnect.

We went to the Red Frog for lunch and it even reminded me of meals in Slovakia although it was probably closer to Czech. I would recommend this place if you want to eat in the village. They also had plenty of American dishes if anything can be called American. It was either the Red Frog or the Blue Toad. Aren’t these great names?

Leroy rode the bike to work today so I rode the bike there for lunch. I enjoyed it even though it was still quite cool outside. I will say that my sinus hurt and my ears, in spite of the cotton balls in them, were edging towards discomfort. It will have to be warmer before I will be comfortable riding again. Course Leroy tells me that he wears a thin stocking cap under his bike helmet. I could have benefited from that. I was not the only bike rider out there. Go bikes go!


Leroy is working again tomorrow and I will be doing our weekly grocery shopping. I might even wash a load of clothes. It is time for me to shift my clothes in the closet. I have two clothes racks, one in front of the other. So the current season is in the front giving easy access. Right now summer is still in that position and the weather is definitely leaning to autumn or even winter approaching. Tomorrow I will move those clothes around and learn what I have to wear for this new season.

Paula

Just Laundry

Hello,

I just realized that my nephew’s birthday is today and I did not send him a greeting. But then I guess I am operating true to form. I should not act like this is a new thing.

It is again beautiful today. I have been out some as I washed and hung out three loads of clothes. I am trying to keep any germs at bay even though I still think it was sinus issues.

I am getting better. I was tired at the end of the day of working yesterday, but not exhausted. That is a good sign. Each day I am hacking up less stuff in the morning so I take that also to be a good sign. Amazing how much of that crud is produced in the body’s fight against infection. We have great healing bodies.

Leroy and I signed up for the CROP walk at church. We will walk on the 14th of October. I expect it will be good to walk that five kilometer walk. Especially if it is such nice weather as these days have been. I would accept any contributions that anyone would want to send, although I think it is best if you support the walk in your own place. I like to walk, but hate to ask for money from people. As one guy at church told me, “I also hate to ask, so I just write a check myself and walk.” That is about what we do too. I feel that we are blessed by giving, but I am not sure how to convince others of that concept. It seems to me the poorest people are those who do not give to others. I must remember my own ideas. I think we have gotten “tighter” since we have come back to this area. It is that lower salary that is tying us up in our thinking. We must remember to share the bounty that still comes our way. We are tithing to the church, but we have always given more than that. We have more than we need. Sometimes it is not more than we want, but that is not the issue.

Paula

Relaxation

Hello,

Fall is moving beautifully on. The trees in the neighborhood are dressed in their finest. I walked to church and back yesterday and was quite tired. A rest was definitely needed after that. Surprise, surprise, we had a young bike riding friend drop in before we got done eating lunch. We were able to share our lunch with him. He even bravely ate one of my homemade waffles that had no white flour in it, plus we do not have any syrup so he put on the unsweetened applesauce. I was impressed that he finished it. Then he had a boiled egg and a banana. How is that for an interesting lunch? Feel free to drop in anytime that you are feeling in need of some adventure in life. Just eat with us for the quirky and unusual, but healthy, always healthy.

In the evening we loaded up the car with wood, pulp egg cartons, popcorn popper, tea in heat retaining containers, and matches. We headed off to the state park where we could sit by the slow low flowing Cedar River. It was wonderful to eat the pop corn even if much of it burned. It has been a long time and this is a new popper are our excuses for burning it. It was wonderful to see many people out enjoying the view and getting exercise in the process. Leroy and I did not get so much exercise, but were mostly sedentary. Soon I will be well.

I work today so I have been taking it easy all morning to save a good reserve of energy for this afternoon. Luckily one of my co-workers wants to trade schedules this week so I will be home tomorrow which should give me some more time to rest. I then work Wednesday and Thursday.

Paula